scholarly journals APPLICATION OF SPEED AND SEPARATION MONITORING TECHNIQUE AT AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY PROCESS

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
pp. 4420-4423
Author(s):  
MAREK VAGAS ◽  
◽  
ALENA GALAJDOVA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Technical Specification ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Operator Fatigue ◽  
Environment Simulation ◽  
Sharing Space

The realization and implementation of a collaborative robotic system in the automotive industry has many advantages in productivity, product quality, and worker ergonomics, but worker safety aspects play a crucial role in these activities. This paper presents the results of ongoing research into developing an automated workplace for an assembly of industrial limit switches based on the cooperation between human and robotic systems. Operating speed and worker-robot separation monitoring methodology (SSM) was used as one of the available methods to reduce the risk of injury according to the technical specification ISO 15066 on collaborative method sharing space with humans. The virtual environment simulation aims to determine the SSM algorithm’s parameters to estimate the minimum protective distance between the robot and the operator. The cooperation between the human and the robot and the safety issues specified by the SSM system assumed operational safety and reduced the operator fatigue during the assembly process.

scholarly journals Sensor-Based Safety Performance Assessment of Individual Construction Workers

Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 3897 ◽  
Author(s):  
JeeWoong Park ◽  
Yong K. Cho ◽  
Ali Khodabandelu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Model ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Well Test ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Monitoring Method ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Automated Method

Over the last decade, researchers have explored various technologies and methodologies to enhance worker safety at construction sites. The use of advanced sensing technologies mainly has focused on detecting and warning about safety issues by directly relying on the detection capabilities of these technologies. Until now, very little research has explored methods to quantitatively assess individual workers’ safety performance. For this, this study uses a tracking system to collect and use individuals’ location data in the proposed safety framework. A computational and analytical procedure/model was developed to quantify the safety performance of individual workers beyond detection and warning. The framework defines parameters for zone-based safety risks and establishes a zone-based safety risk model to quantify potential risks to workers. To demonstrate the model of safety analysis, the study conducted field tests at different construction sites, using various interaction scenarios. Probabilistic evaluation showed a slight underestimation and overestimation in certain cases; however, the model represented the overall safety performance of a subject quite well. Test results showed clear evidence of the model’s ability to capture safety conditions of workers in pre-identified hazard zones. The developed approach presents a way to provide visualized and quantified information as a form of safety index, which has not been available in the industry. In addition, such an automated method may present a suitable safety monitoring method that can eliminate human deployment that is expensive, error-prone, and time-consuming.

scholarly journals The Complexities of the Automotive Industry: positive and negative feedbacks in production systems

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Spencer ◽  
Niki Carlan
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Complexity Analysis ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Automotive Manufacturing ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Negative Feedback Loops ◽  
Local Plant ◽  
Automotive Production ◽  
Nous Examinons

Abstract (English): This paper utilizes complexity theory to analyze the implications of systemic changes that have occurred over the last 30 years in the automotive industry. We argue by dint of complexity analysis that the networked automotive production system characterized by just in time and lean production creates states far from equilibrium in individual parts manufacturers and assembler plants. Positive feedback creates system disturbances and adverse health and safety issues in the local plant environments. In addition, we examine four mechanisms that serve as negative feedback loops to absorb stresses in local plant environments and rectify health and safety related issues. This paper draws on thirty interviews with health and safety representatives at automotive manufacturing and assembly plants. Abstract (French): Ce papier utilise la théorie de complexité pour analyser les implications de changements systémiques qui se sont produits pendant les trente dernières années dans l'industrie automotrice. Nous soutenons, au moyen de l'analyse de complexité, que le système de production automoteur en réseau, caractérisé par la production juste à temps et mince, crée des états loin de l'équilibre dans les fabricants de parties individuels et les usines d'assembleur. Les rétroactions positives créent des dérangements dans le système qui causent des conditions défavorables de santé et sécurité dans les environs locaux de l’usine. En plus, nous examinons quatre mécanismes qui servent comme boucles de rétroactions négatives pour absorber ces tensions environnementales, et résoudre les problèmes de santé et sécurité. Ce papier est comprit de trente entretiens avec des représentants de santé et sécurité venant des usines fabricants et d’assemblage automotrices.

Robot-to-Robot Collaboration for Fixtureless Assembly: Challenges and Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Saez ◽  
Patrick Spicer
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Performance Requirements ◽  
Advanced Control ◽  
Automotive Assembly ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Results

Abstract This paper summarizes the latest developments in robot-to-robot collaboration for fixtureless assembly. In addition, some of the technology challenges and potential applications in the automotive industry are described. Fixtureless assembly systems have been developed to increase the flexibility of body shop systems. These systems eliminate the need for using dedicated fixtures to set the geometry of body assemblies. A key technology enabler for a fixtureless assembly process is robot-to-robot collaboration based on perception and advanced control solutions. In a fixtureless assembly process, robots move and hold parts together in the geometry setting pose for assembly instead of using fixtures. In this paper the technology requirements and performance results of a production-relevant demonstration cell are presented. Moreover, the technology and performance requirements to use the fixtureless approach in other automotive assembly applications are reviewed. Results show that dimensional performance from the newly developed fixtureless process was acceptable and within the tolerance range. Initial cost estimate show that a fixtureless process offers a significant cost benefit over a conventional assembly process, especially for a multi-style production line or when new styles are frequently introduced.

Gasket Selection and Assembly Criteria for Internal Sealing Manways and Handholes

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Fitzgerald (Jerry) Waterland
Keyword(s):  
Selection Process ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Critical Importance ◽  
Equipment Reliability ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Critical Issues

Internal sealing manways, hand-holes, drum doors, etc. present very unique sealing and assembly challenges. Unlike other conventional gasketed connections, the majority of the gasket compression forces are developed during operation, and not during assembly. This creates several critical issues that must be understood and overcome in the original gasket selection process and the assembly itself. Even if considered and addressed in the original gasket selection and assembly process, these internal sealing manways will likely still require a post start-up retorque. The timing of the re-torque is of critical importance in ensuring worker safety and continued equipment reliability and uptime.

Railroad Yard Safety: Perspectives from Labor and Management

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (13) ◽  
pp. 1201-1204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Reinach ◽  
Judith B. Gertler
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Safety Climate ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Injury Rates ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Railroad Industry ◽  
The U.S

Safety in the U.S. railroad industry has improved markedly over the last two decades. Train accident and employee injury rates have both declined sharply. While current railroad accident and injury rates are low in comparison to other modes of transportation, these rates in railroad yards far exceed the overall accident and injury rates across the entire railroad industry. To assist the U.S. railroad industry in its efforts to improve safety, the Federal Railroad Administration initiated research to examine worker safety issues in yards. Part of this research effort involved conducting structured interviews with railroad management and focus groups with railroad labor. A number of safety-related topics were addressed, such as overall safety climate, safety incentive programs, and training. Methods of data collection are described, results of the structured interviews and focus groups are presented, and opportunities for improving safety in the railroad industry are identified.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Safety Climate and Reducing Violence Against Staff in Closed Hospital Wards

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 409-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Isaak ◽  
Dana Vashdi ◽  
Dor Bar-Noy ◽  
Hava Kostisky ◽  
Shmuel Hirschmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Safety Climate ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Maximum Security ◽  
Patient Violence ◽  
Hospital Safety ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hospital Wards

This study examined the effectiveness of an intervention program to enhance unit safety climate and minimize employee risk of injury from patient violence. The intervention program, including a 3-day workshop, was offered to personnel on maximum security units of an Israeli psychiatric hospital. Safety climate was examined before and after the implementation of the intervention, and incidents of patient violence were investigated. Six months after the intervention, a significant improvement in employees’ perceptions of management’s commitment to safety as well as a marginally significant improvement in communication about safety issues were found. This study demonstrated that an intervention program to enhance safety climate was associated with a decrease in the number of aggressive incidents. The researchers concluded that this intervention program is likely to return a sense of safety to workers and reduce workplace violence.

scholarly journals Proposal of Method of Removal of Mould Material from the Fine Structure of Metallic Foams used as Filters

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 727-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Kroupová ◽  
V. Bednářová ◽  
T. Elbel ◽  
F. Radkovský
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Metallic Foam ◽  
Metallic Materials ◽  
Metallic Foams ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Polymeric Foam ◽  
Mould Material ◽  
Main Disadvantage ◽  
Metal Materials

Abstract Metallic foams are materials that are subject of an ongoing research with the broad applicability in many different areas (e.g. automotive industry, building industry, medicine, etc.). These metal materials contain in their structure artificially created pores. These pores give them specific properties, such as: large rigidity at low density, high thermal conductivity, capability to absorb energy, etc. Since the discovery of porous metallic materials numerous methods of production have been developed. The aim of the paper is to introduce effective casting methods of manufacturing of metallic foams, namely cast metal filters from the aluminum alloy. Research deals with investment casting with use of pattern made of polymeric foam, which is used for production of metallic foam with open pores. The main disadvantage of this procedure consists in removing the mould material without damaging the fine structure of the cast filter. Plaster is used as the mould material and the most important result of this paper is the presentation of the effective procedure of plaster removal from the porous structure of cast filters.

scholarly journals Factors affecting safety performance on construction sites: An overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-37
Author(s):  
Nour Eldeen Abo Nassar
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Safety Performance ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Health And Safety Issues ◽  
Made In

The construction industry is one of the most significant industries that contribute greatly to achieving economic development. However, it is also considered one of the industries that is always exposed to a high risk of hazards in addition to being full of risky activities. Accidents that occurred in construction industries have caused many defects in project progress, for example, delays in completing the project, increasing project cost, reducing productivity, and creating negative impressions about the company. The major reason for the accidents is poor worker safety performance, with a host of contributing causes. For improving safety performance, the root causes of incidents that occur in construction as well as the factors influencing them must be studied. Health and safety issues are the main problem and concerns in the building industry. Though much development has been made in construction safety, the industry still lacks a lag behind most other industries in terms of safety. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the factors that could affect the safety performance of a construction site to reduce the frequency of accidents.

Non-Rigid Variation Simulation for Ready-to-Assemble Furniture

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Wärmefjord ◽  
Rikard Söderberg ◽  
Lars Lindkvist ◽  
Andreas Dagman
Keyword(s):  
Future Development ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Assembly Process ◽  
Furniture Industry ◽  
Contact Modeling ◽  
Material Models ◽  
Simulation Procedure ◽  
Variation Simulation

Abstract Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) furniture is becoming increasingly popular due to attractive pricing compared to standard furniture. However, for this kind of furniture to be attractive to the customer, the assembly process must be smooth. If the assembly requirements are fulfilled or not is, for this kind of assembly, ruled by the tolerances on part level. In this paper, a methodology for variation simulation of RTA furniture is presented. By predicting the fulfillment of requirement on assembly level, reasonable tolerances on part level can iteratively be set, to guarantee a smooth assembly process. The methodology includes material models, flexibility and bending during assembly, contact modeling and modeling of fastener elements between parts. Variation simulation is commonly used in the automotive industry and a comparison of variation simulation methodologies between the two kinds of industries is conducted. A major difference between RTA furniture business and automotive industry is that no fixtures are used for RTA furniture. This must be reflected in the simulation procedure. Furthermore, the results from the variation simulation need to be evaluated, and the results are dependent on the context of the assembled product. Both the assemblability and esthetical requirements, like flush, gap, and parallelism, need to be evaluated. The methodology is illustrated on a case study and future development and research needed to adapt variation simulation to furniture industry are discussed.

Worker safety issues in night‐time highway construction

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Arditi ◽  
Mehmet Ayrancioglu ◽  
Jonathan Jingsheng Shi
Keyword(s):  
Highway Construction ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Work Area ◽  
Departments Of Transportation

PurposeThe research presented in this paper aims to investigate highway construction/maintenance professionals' perceptions of the effects of night‐time construction conditions on worker visibility and of issues associated with safety vests in night‐time activities.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted by administering a questionnaire survey to Illinois Department of Transportation operations personnel, resident engineers, contractors, and construction/maintenance professionals involved in night‐time construction in the Departments of Transportation of states other than Illinois.FindingsIt was found that most accidents in night‐time construction work areas are caused by the condition of the vehicle operator, that accidents are caused by through‐traffic and construction equipment operating inside the work area, and that the poor visibility of the workers plays an important role in accidents.Research limitations/implicationsA national survey (rather than mostly Illinois personnel) would certainly increase the sample size and therefore allow researchers to validate the findings of this study and to conduct extensive statistical analyses.Practical implicationsNight‐time construction/maintenance operations on highways may be hazardous for both drivers and construction personnel because of poor visibility at night. It is recommended that the design of safety vests adhere to existing standards issued by the American National Standards Institute and the International Safety Equipment Association. It is particularly important to ensure adequate performance in wet weather conditions.Originality/valueIf safety vests are perceived by workers to be effective, the frequency and severity of night‐time accidents can be reduced and labor productivity can be enhanced.

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